Biden: “Stand Up, Chuck!” – Gaffe For the Ages or Just a Poorly Delivered Compliment?

Anyone who frequents YouTube has probably seen the video of Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Joseph Biden speaking on the campaign trail recently when he mentioned Missouri State Senator Chuck Graham’s name. This prompted Biden to say to Graham “Stand up, Chuck, let ’em see ya.”

One problem: Graham is in a wheelchair.

I will not post the video here, but I do want to comment on the incident.

Some are saying that it is proof that Biden has never met Graham, and is therefore not as much of a Washington go-getter as he’s supposed to be or whatever. Possibly. But does it really prove anything? Gaffe for the ages, they are saying! But is it?

I have written previously how a co-worker told me once that he hadn’t ever really noticed that I was in a wheelchair. He maybe did at first but the importance of the fact grew dimmer and dimmer over time as we worked together and he saw me as a person on the same level as himself. The same principle may have been at work between Biden and Graham.

Plus Biden covered his tracks so well after the “error”, by making everyone else in attendance stand up. Over-correction? Maybe. Classy off-the-cuff move though, considering how I am sure Biden felt after making the mistake.

People are saying it is appalling that if Biden had never met Graham that nobody briefed him that Graham was in a wheelchair. I say it’s great that nobody briefed him that Graham was in a wheelchair. That proves that they did not really notice it either.